Isn't It Time You Joined The Breakfast Club?

Isn't It Time You Joined The Breakfast Club?

Published December 18, 2007

Updated Nov. 27, 2007 - Okay, so why don't you eat breakfast? Do you blame your body clock for not feeling hungry when you wake up? Or is your hectic lifestyle the culprit - falling short on time and energy first thing in the morning? Or is it that you think skipping breakfast will help you lose weight?

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Why Breakfast?

Let's say that the last time you eat something at night is at 10 or 11 PM (just an example). The following day, you don't eat breakfast but wait until about noon or so to eat - you've gone thirteen or fourteen hours with nothing in your system. Your poor body, especially your brain is deprived of glucose - that's the fuel you need to think, walk, talk, and carry on any and all activities.

Breakfast skippers also have a harder time fitting important nutrients into their eating plans. Many foods eaten at breakfast contain significant amounts of vitamins C and D, calcium, iron, and fiber.

Beating Breakfast Barriers

Not Hungry When You Wake Up? Maybe this will help:

Don't overeat at dinner. You might wake up hungrier and more ready for breakfast.

Eat dinner early no later than 6PM. If you eat too late at night, you may still feel full in the morning.

Try to have a little something. Eating even small amounts of food - yogurt, slice of toast, or a piece of fruit - helps restore blood glucose and boost energy.

Wait awhile after waking up. Eat on your way to work or during your first break.

Short on Time? Pull out the grocery list and add these quick-to-fix breakfast foods:

Toasted waffle made with whole wheat. Top with fruit and yogurt or light whipped cream.

Toasted English muffin or a medium sized bagel. Top with a slice of lean ham, cheese or a spoonful of peanut butter.

A slice of last night's leftovercheese or veggie pizza.

Instant oatmeal. Sprinkle with raisins

Grits. Topped with grated cheese.

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What if there's just no time in the morning to eat breakfast? When you can, get breakfast foods ready the night before or pack something that you can take with you - a resealable bag of easy-to-eat cereal made with whole grain like Honey Nut Cheerios, crackers and cheese, a container of yogurt, small box of juice, a piece of fruit.

Best Kept Weight Management Secret

Many people skip breakfast with the hope that they will lose weight. NOT TRUE! Breakfast consumption is associated with a healthier body weight and is a common behavior of adults who successfully maintain weight loss.

Join the breakfast club and receive all of the member benefits:

Staying cool with your friends. Chase away morning hunger with breakfast (and maybe even a case of the crabbies) so your co-workers and friends don't have to send out mass emails warning others to stay away from your cubicle. You'll thank me later.

Thinking power. With your hunger pangs quieted by that healthy breakfast, it might make it easier to focus more on your work. Remember to think of me when your boss notices!

Added energy. Eating breakfast will put more pep in your step. Some bump in your thump. And some move in your groove. If this doesn't, I don't know what will!